Closet organization re: Angie's post today

I have been editing my closet and re-arranging (or maybe churning!) what I keep where to fit more with my goals and current items.

Angie's post on outfit creation was so timely because my need for re-organization stemmed from outfit uncertainty.

I noticed that it does not always work so well for me to keep "like with like," e.g., short-sleeved tops, then long, tnen cardi's etc. This is because they all vary slightly and are not all interchangeable with bottoms—mostly lengths, degree of boxiness and proportions but a few trickier color combos.

To change things up, I’ve been trying some closet organization based loosely on outfit capsules and not typical garment characteristics. For work it seems that identifying the “bottoms” is the starting point. And a goal is to keep the bottoms capsule a bit leaner but really like the ones I have—fit, length, fabrication.

I have been experimenting with identifying some key bottoms, and then several tops that look the best—ranging from sleeveless shell to short sleeve to all-season sweaters. Then putting these tops, though different types, together in a section. Also working on pants not by color but by silhouette.

This approach can fall apart a bit because thankfully many of my tops do go with multiple bottoms. However some of this overlap is with black vs. not-black items. So a couple of pairs of black pants make FFBO with a wide range of tops.

Where this has helped me this spring has been with our recent crazy weather. I tend to wear more seasonless trousers/skirts but choose a warmer or cooler top. Or a deeper vs. more springy color. And I might decide the morning of. My experiment has been to try placing 4-5 tops together that I know work well with one set of bottoms and choose from that.

This system may prove to be more of a training exercise which helps outfit memory. I’ve also written down some combos that I tend to forget.

Another way to look at it is it can be a loose form of weekly outfits, and I could change up the featured items to some different capsules. Downside here is forgetting what I've put where, but most of these items are on double-rods front & center to where I mull over dressing.

Have you tried some new or creative closet organizing to fit with new wardrobe items or outfit goals?

11 years ago

cheryl

Veteran

This sounds like a wonderful learning experiment. I do keep like with like but can't wait to hear how this works out for you.

Thistle

I love the idea of arranging by capsules.

I have no idea how it would work in the tiny physical space i have for a closet. Next house is absolutely having a walk in closet

Carole

We are on the same wave length! I have been intrigued by putting together a 33 piece spring/summer capsule but the process became overwhelming, so I narrowed it down and I just put together a 10 piece spring wardrobe capsule and hung all the pieces together front and center and have been trying to get dressed from just those pieces for a few weeks. I like this approach because it seems so many things just get lost in the mass and this way things are already together making for a "simple get dressed" routine. After a couple weeks I thought it would be easy enough to add and edit pieces for the upcoming weather and activites planned.I've been meaning to get around to posting about it.

Glory

I like this idea quite a bit. Perhaps this would help me solve the capsule dressing holes that I have. I think I will try it out!

unfrumped

The other thing I am doing, is if I wear something and it's blah without immediate ideas for redemption, I am taking it out of my closet and putting it in my holding zone.

I am going to try to keep doing that until or unless I run out of clothes to make 2-3 weeks worth of outfits--hence having the holding zone as a back-up plan rather than purging all my clothes!

It is part of my process of wondering why I am wearing things that just do not send me. If it's because I really lack enough pieces, then that helps me see what to add and I will keep items as place-holders. If it's because of outfit repetition of outfits I love, that is less of an issue, up to a point, and I'd actually like to push the envelope there and see where it gets me.

I am going to be the boss of my closet....

rachylou

I do keep like-with-like, but what I'm trying now is dividing the "like" into smaller, more specific categories. Also, I put the tops on the shelves above bottoms, so you can sorta get an at-a-glance look of things together. Blouses, tho, are still across the room hanging up. I have to take them out and travel them over to the bottoms.

(website)

I tried this (mostly with skirt length tops vs pant length tops) but it got convoluted very quickly. I'm better keeping like with like so I know exactly what I have in every category. I can see everything at once (except toppers - jackets in spare closet and sweaters in a drawer) so it's not too hard to pull an item and then start to try and pair it with other choices. I should add that I do not have work vs play clothes, so I don't have the business wear category that might make dividing up more logical.

Rambling Ann

I have 2 wardrobes, one for normal gear-demanding mud and dirt days and one for the rest of my life. One of the first things I did when I joined YLF a couple months ago was separate them on the closet rod and in the drawers. Then I could get a handle on my needs in the life department and challenge myself to dress out of that side of the closet when the slightest opportunity arises. Also love my valet rod for temporarily mulling over combinations.

Anonymous

IKWYM. It helps to change things up in the closet from time to time. Sometimes I deviate from 'like with like and dark to light' and start hanging things up as "potential outfits", but then, like you, I don't have an equal number of bottoms and tops. Still, I find it helps shake things up a bit and gives me new ensemble ideas.

You're right, clearlyclaire, it is to.mix things up and get new perpective. it could be changed around again when needed.

Suz

I love what you said: I am going to be the boss of my closet. Yes!!

And that question: why wear the things you don't love? If it's just because they are THERE, well, get rid of them. But if it's because you need a similar (but more loveable version) that is equally good to know.

Sarah A

I like the idea of organizing for greater ease.... I went searching for ideas around this today and this is one I found helpful

http://into-mind.com/2013/02/2.....ct-system/

FYI I also just posted another thread with the link to the whole 10 steps of the revamp process that this blogger uses. I think you are real on a roll lately with your reflections on clothes shopping, goals, organization and outfits. Well done!

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